Dartmouth Steam Railway

The Dartmouth Steam Railway is a heritage railway line in South Devon, England, connecting Paignton with Kingswear over roughly 6.7 miles. The line follows the coast of Torbay before turning inland along the River Dart, running through wooded valleys and past small beaches.

The line opened in 1859 and initially used the 7-foot broad gauge developed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway. In 1892 the line was converted to standard gauge to align it with the rest of the British rail network.

Passengers travel in carefully maintained carriages from different decades of the 19th and 20th centuries, with each coach showing its own character. Music from earlier eras often plays on board and staff wear period uniforms, which reinforces the experience of traveling back in time.

The train runs along bays and the riverside, so visibility can depend on the weather, though even overcast days offer a calm ride through the landscape. Combined tickets allow switching between train, ferry, and bus, making longer circular tours around the region easier.

The operators run one of Britain's last coal-fired paddle steamers on the river, which accompanies the same route as the train. This vessel still runs with the same propulsion method as in the 19th century and complements the rail journey with a historical water crossing.

Location: Kingswear

Website: http://dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 50.37500,-3.58100

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26